New Delhi: The Union Health Ministry has issued a draft of new guidelines for passive euthanasia, that is, the removal of life support systems from terminally ill patients.

It says that doctors will have to take a very thoughtful decision, keeping certain conditions in mind, whether the patient's life support should be removed or not.

This also includes a written refusal by the patient or his family. Four conditions have been laid down in the guidelines, on the basis of which it will be decided whether stopping the life support system is appropriate in the interest of the patient or not.

This would be done when it is clear that the patient suffering from an incurable disease is unlikely to benefit from life support or that keeping him on a life support system would likely increase the patient's suffering and cause loss of dignity.

The Health Ministry has invited feedback and suggestions on the draft from various stakeholders by October 20. However, the medical fraternity has not welcomed the draft. IMA national president Dr RV Ashokan said that it will bring doctors under legal scrutiny and increase their stress.

Conditions for removing life support

-The patient has been declared brain stem dead.

-Doctors should be of the considered opinion that the patient's condition is serious and there is no likelihood of any benefit from treatment.

-The patient/relative has refused to continue the life support system.

-The process of removing life support should be done as per the guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court.